Combined generating and starting apparatus for gas-engines.



J. A. HBANY. GOMBINED GENERATING AND STARTING APPARATUS FOR GAS ENGINES.

, v APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 26, 1909.

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ATTORNEY J. A. HEANY. COMBINED GENERATING AND STARTING APPARATUS FOR GAS ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1909.

Patented D60. 20, 1910.

2 BHEETB-SHEET 2.

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ATTORNEY JDH'N ALLEN HEANY, F YORK, PENNSYLVANIA,

COMBINED GENERATING AND STARTING APPARATUS FOR GAS-ENQEINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented so. 20, 1.910,.

Application filed November 26, 1909. Serial No. 529,891.

To all whom it may concern:

one skilled in the art may make and use the same.

The invention relates to igniting and light ing systems in connection with prime movers wherein an ignition system is employed, and more particularly to an. arrangement for providihg both ignition and l'ghting circuits, and in addition thereto, a means for starting the main prime mover.

The objects of the'invcntion are to provide a condensed and complete unit; which will operate entirely independently of the engine or other device to which ignition or light circuits are an appurtenance, and which will serve as a starting device for the main prime mover. I

A further object is to provide controlling devices whereby a single unit may be controlled, started and when so started, will produce electrical energy which may be utilized either for an ignition circuit, a lighting circuit or both, or for inducing movement-in the prime mover, where the ignition circuit is utilized.

Referring to the drawings: Figure. 1 is a 1311 view illustratin a convenient a li cation of the device. Fig. Qis a diagrammatic view illustrating the several parts of the apparatus employed. Fig; 3 is a detail View somewhat in diagram, illustrating the electric clutch.

In connection with liquid hydro-carbon and gas engines, it has been a practice to employ various types of starting devices by which the initial impulse may be secured in one or more cylinders of an engine. This has been done by holding compressed gases in the cylinders and by providing various devices for turning over the crank shaft and securing an initial compression charge. So far as known, such devices have been uncertain in action and of a more or less cumbersome nature, particularly wherean attempt has been made to apply them to vehicle constructions. It is a fact that an initial impulse cannot always be secured in anattempt to fire a charge in the first cylinder, under compression and it is necessary to crank the engine either by direct means or by the so called self-starting attachments, until the initial impulse is secured.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome these objections by utilizing a self-contained unit. which, not only furnishes electrical energy for the ignition and lighting system of the device to which it is applied, but may be utilised for turning over the engine shaft Without undue effort on the part of the operator and by simply utilizing the electrical energy through a translating device.

The invention herein defined relates to the particular arrangement hereinafter de scribed. Although somewhat similar to the devices shown in copending applications, 5srial No. 529,540, isolated ignition system for engines, filed Nov. 23, 1909 and No. 599,695, automatic ignition and lighting system, filed Nov. 2 4-, 1909, it; describes and claims subject matter quite from said applications.

Referring to. the drawings in which the mechanism is illustrated as applied to an automobile, the numeral 1, denotes the metal chassis frame upon which is mounted an engine 2, which, through suitable driving mechanism, not fully I described herein, drives the rear wheels 3, l. The front wheels 5, 6, are controlled by any ordinary type of steering mechanism provided with a steering wheel 7, and appurtenant parts for controlling the engine 2.

Conveniently located on the chassis frame or frame of the engine, is arranged a unit 8, comprising a prime mover 9, and dynamoelectricmachine 10. The prime mover 9, and dynammelectric machine are directly coupled together and the former receives its supply of fuel in thc case of a gas or liquid hydro-carbon engine, from the main supply tank 11, which also supplies the engine 9.,or from a separate tank.

Of course, the engine is connected through a supply pipe 12, carbureting device 13, and manifold 14, with the several cylinders 15, 16, 17, 18, of the engine. The unit 8, is a complete power and generating plant in itself, occupying but very small space and so disposed with reference to the prime mover or engine 2, that it may be utilized as a starting device for turning over the crank shaft of said engine. While the unit is shown herein as located adjacent to the en-' at 9 in the frame of the machine.

gine and under the bonnet of the machine,

. it is obvious that it might occupy any desired position, inasmuch as it is complete in itself, although, for convenience of connec tion with the engine shaft, it is illustrated mounted adjacent thereto. The controlling switch or switches for the unit 8, may be very conveniently located upon the dash of the vehicle as illustrated at 19, although, of -course, these devices might be arranged in any desired position.

Referring to the diagram in- Fig, 2, the prime mover 9, which, of course, may be of any desired type, either a gas or liquid hydro-carbon engine or any form of prime mover, is directly connected with the rotating part of the dynamo electric machine 10, one side of the circuit of which is conveniently grounded as at G, upon the frame of the machine, which may form a common ground for the various pieces of apparatus used. The opposite side of the dynamo electric machine is connected through a lead 20, with a switch contact21, and suitably arranged in connection therewith are contacts 22, 23,24, suitably controlled by a switch member 25, as hereinafter defined. The contact 22, is connected with a lead 26, forming one side of a lamp circuit, the opposite side 27, of which is grounded as at g, in the frame of the machine. The contact 23, through a lead 28, is connected with a storage battery 29, one side of which is suitably grounded as at g, tothe frame of the machine. The contact 24, through a lead 30, forms the ignition circuit and is connected with the movable contact 31, of a make and break device, the stationary contact 82, of which, through a lead 33, connects with the primary coil 7), of the transformer B. This is also grounded as The secondary coil Z), is connected with-the movable member 34, of a distributing device, having relatively stationary contacts 36, 37, 38, 39, which, through leads 40, 41. 42, 43,

. connect with the insulated terminals of the the current produced in the dynamo electric machine, and said machine may be of any required type to meet the conditions imposed in any particular case. The dynamo electric machine may be of direct current type, alternating current type or homopolar type, and is designed to operate in either case directly from the shaft of the prime mover 9.

As shown and illustrated herein, the shaft of the unit 8, projects beyond the dynamo electric machine and on its extended portion 44, bears a clutch device which may very with a gear 48, upon the main shaft 49, of

the prime mover or engine 2. The object and purpose of the clutch device is to connect the shaft 44, of the prime mover 9, with I the main shaft 49, of the engine 2, whereby said engine shaft may be rotated to secure the initial impulses for starting said engine.

Ordinarily, the unit 8, is disconnected from the shaft 49, but when it is desired tostart the main engine, it may be immediately started by cutting in the clutch device 50, whereupon the rotating shaft of the unit 8, will transmit motion to the shaft 49, as illustrated in Fig. 3. A simple form of clutch may be utilized which will be controlled entirely by the solenoid 51, receiving its energizing current from a circuit 52, 53, connecting with the main line wire 20, of the generating element 10, through a switch 54. This switch may be located upon the dash or in any convenient position, or the circuit 52, 53, may conveniently be controlled by contacts arranged upon the main switch 25. The exact arrangement and detail of switch control of this circuit is quite immaterial, as is the specific form of clutch device used.

The objects and purposes of the various elements, above described, are apparent. As ishown in the diagrammatic view in- Fi I I the first position of the switch 25, will co n-- nect the battery with the ignition circuit of the main engine 2. By moving the'switch through an intermediate gear 47, meshes" into the second position, the battery 29, will I be connected with the dynamo-electric machine 10, which, operating as a motor will start the prime mover 9. Thereupon the dynamo electric machine becomes a generator driven by the prime mover 9, developmg current for the purposes hereinafter defined. In this position; of the switclnthe cirecuit 20, through the contact 21, will be conneeted Withthe contact 24, thus giving a generating circuit from the dynamo electric machine 10, to the ignition circuit 30. The third position of the switch will connect the switch contacts 21, and 22, at the same time, maintaining the connections '21 and 24, whereupon the lighting circuit 26, 27, will be cut in on the circuit of the dynamo electric machine 10. A still further movement of the switch may be utilized to connectthe terminals 23, 24, in order thatlthe ignition :circuit 30, may receive current fromthe bat- ,-tery 29, while the lighting circuit is receiving current from the dynamo electric machine 10. Thus, the various combinations may be utilized for-directing the currentof the dynamo electric machine either to the ignition circuit, the lighting circuit, or both circuits, and the generated current may be utilized for actuating the clutch device 50, whereby the main engine 2, may be started. \Vith this arrangement, it is obvious that the complete unit 8, furnishes a means for securing electrical energy for an ignition circuit and a lighting circuit, both under the control of the operator, and in addition thereto, provides a very convenient means of starting thc'prime mover 2.

The advantages of such an arrangement are apparent. In using an ordinary road vehicle, it is necessary to crank theengine or use some of. the cumbersome and complicated starting devices, which have been devised. \Vith the present invention, the engine may be started Without ditiiculty by utilizing the power of the prime mover 9, which, operating entirely independently of the engine 2,\vill turn over the crank shaft of said engine until an initial impulse is secured in one or more of the cylinders, and thereupon the engine 2, will operate, securing its ignition current either from the storage battery 29, or the dynamo electric machine 10. The dynamo electric machine 10, being operated 'by the prime mover 9, may be under absolute control as to speed and Will not in any way be dependent upon the speed of the engine It may, therefore, very conveniently be used for furnishing current for the lighting circuit 26, 27. The advantages are very apparent The lighting circuit may be cut in or out at will, directly from the drivers seat, and Will give a'steady and intense light, far superior to the ordinary oil or acetylene lamps, commonly employed. The lighting circuit .may be maintained even if the engine 2, is at rest, and \vitlr'the ignition circuit cut out.

Obviously, various details might be changed in the device herein described, without departing from the spirit or.int-ent of the invention and the circuits may be controlled in any desired manner and by any combination of switch contacts, so that the various positions of the switch will control the circuits to meet the conditions of any particular case. Furthermore, the clutch mechanism might, obviously, be varied and any desired type of clutch could be utilized for connecting the shaft sections 44, 45, through the gears to the main shaft 49.

That I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A combined generating and starting apparatus for gas engines embodying a unit comprising aprime mover and a dynamo electric machine actuated thereby and forming an isolated unit, an engine shaft, connections intermediate said unit and the engine shaft, and means for controlling the action of the unit with respect to said. shaft for actuating and moving the latter.

2. A combined generating and starting apparatus for gas engines embodying aunit comprising a prime mover and dynamo electric-machine, means for actuating said dynamo electric machine for starting the prime mover, an engine shaft, connections intermediate the prime mover and engine shaft for actuating and moving the latter, and means for connecting and disconnecting the prime mover and engine shaft.

3. A combined generating and starting apparatus for gas engines embodying a unit comprising a prime mover and dynamo elec-v tric machine, means for actuating said dynamo electric machine for starting the prime mover, an engine shaft, connections intermediate the prime =mover and engine shaft for actuating and moving the latter, and an electrically actuated clutch device for connecting and disconnecting the prime mover and engine shaft.

4. A combined generating and starting apparatus for gas engines embodying a unit comprising a prime mover and dynamo electric machine, means for actuating said dynamo electric machine for starting the prime mover, an engine shaft, connections intermediate the prime mover and engine shaft for actuating and moving the latter, and an electro-mechanical device for connecting and disconnecting the prime mover.

A combined generating and starting apparatus for gas engines embodying a unit comprising a prime mover and a dynamo electric machine actuated thereby and forming an isolated unit, an engine shaft, connections intermediate said unit and the engine shaft, an ignition circuit and a lighting circuit. and controlling devices forcontrolling said circuits and the action of the connecting device intermediate the prime mover and engine shaft.

JOH N ALLEN HE ANY.

Vitnesses FRED B. MCLAREN, MAXWELL G. Bone. 

